This 1965 Shelby GT350 R should bring in $1M (or more)

With a class win at the 1967 12 Hours of Sebring under its belt, and a 325-hp 289 underhood, this original early-production Shelby GT350R is a rare beast. Just 36 were made. It's expected to bring in a cool million bucks at auction on May 2nd.

With a class win at the 1967 12 Hours of Sebring under its belt, and a 325-hp 289 underhood, this original early-production Shelby GT350R is a rare beast. Just 36 were made. It's expected to bring in a cool million bucks at auction on May 2nd.

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1965 Shelby GT350 R

Just 36 of these early-production GT350 Rs were built. This is one of those lucky (and valuable few)—the final one produced during the initial run.

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1965 Shelby GT350 R

That's a 325-horsepower 289 in there. Since the engine blew at Daytona in 1967, there's a good chance this isn't the original block. The "George Washington's axe" principle applies.

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1965 Shelby GT350 R

Early in its racing career, it was driven by Pedro Rodriguez, relatively fearless and extremely talented. He trounced a 289 Cobra at Green Valley Raceway, proving the car's mettle.

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1965 Shelby GT350 R

Then the car went to Mexico with racer Freddy van Buren, taking on a Mexican racing livery. This car won the SCCA Southwest Division title in 1966 with van Buren behind the wheel.

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1965 Shelby GT350 R

Later, it went to the 24 Hours of Daytona, but DNF'd due to a blown engine.

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1965 Shelby GT350 R

Too bad, as the car was running at the front of its class, and 7th overall.

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1965 Shelby GT350 R

The 1967 12 Hours of Sebring was a happier race for van Buren, and provided the high point of this car's career.

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1965 Shelby GT350 R

This car, 5R108, finished first in class and 16th overall. As RM Sotheby's notes, this "was a spectacular result for a privately entered customer car in a very hotly contested race."

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1965 Shelby GT350 R

It was then sold to a man in Texas, then in Pennsylvania. The latter owner raced the car until 1972, racking up a fourth-place finish in the Northeast Division SCCA championship.

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1965 Shelby GT350 R

Like a lot of old race cars, the next step of its life was a period of time in storage. In this case, a decade.

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1965 Shelby GT350 R

After that, it was restored to the Mexican livery from van Buren's time, although with Rodriguez's name emblazoned on the car.

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1965 Shelby GT350 R

It raced in a number of vintage events in the intervening years.

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1965 Shelby GT350 R

Then, it spent some time in Europe, where the engine was made FIA-legal for use at European tracks.

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1965 Shelby GT350 R

In 2011, it was purchased for the Andrews Collection.

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1965 Shelby GT350 R

Now, it's being sold by RM Sotheby's. The auction is on May 2nd.

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1965 Shelby GT350 R

For an original car with real competition history, and a win under its belt, it seems like a deal. After all, in a world where Ferraris command more than $20M, what's $1M for a paragon of badass-ness?

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1965 Shelby GT350 R

This car is expected to bring in between $800,000 and $1,000,000 when it crosses the block.

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